The current exit exam is considered weak. It requires juniors to be tested on knowledge that they should learn by early in their high school careers. Critics also say that, despite tightening standards, it's too easy for students to take and pass a less rigorous alternative exam.

The change is the latest initiative from Christie aimed at trying to raise the standards in the state's public schools. While on average, New Jersey students are among the nation's highest performing, those in the state's cities tend to fare much worse.